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Wednesday, 14 Nov 07
JACKSON HOLE PHOTOGRAPHER Heather Erson may come across as quiet, but she is definitely friendly and definitely wild. “I can usually remember your name,” she said about meeting someone, “and usually your dog’s name, too.” The Georgia native moved to Jackson in 2000, and has been snowboarding and taking photos ever since. Recently, she Erson brought over 30 Jackson skiers and snowboarders, including Lynsey Dyer, Jess McMillan, Resi Stiegler, Lisa Watson, Charlotte Moats, and Hannah Hardaway (who are all featured on SheJumps) into her studio to reveal their personality away from the slopes. The black and white portraits will be displayed at Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, and Erson, of course, has a big party planned for the unveiling on Dec. 14, 2007.
SheJumps: It seems like studio work is your niche, how did that happen?
Heather Erson: I moved to New York and worked with Annie Leibovitz for the fall and winter of 2005, and that inspired this current project where I get to work with people one on one to bring out a side of people that not everyone gets to see.
SJ: What is it about photography that you enjoy?
HE: I love photography because it combines all of my interests and allows me to travel. It has a technical and an artistic side. I also like that photography is about developing relationships.
SJ: made you decide you wanted to photograph athletes?
HE: I grew up as a competitive swimmer, with year-round practices twice a day so I understand the dedication it takes and the time involved to be good at a sport. So living in Jackson, not only are the people I photograph my friends and acquaintances, but I also admire them for what they’ve done in their sport.
SJ: What do you look for when you are about to take a picture?
HE: With people in the studio, I’m looking for emotion or a gesture. I like hands that show the character of a person. I like for them to get comfortable to the point where they forget I’m there and lose their inhibitions. That’s what I like to capture, what I look for and wait for.
SJ: That’s hard. Some of the people you photographed for the show took some of their clothes off for you. How did you get them to feel comfortable?
HE: That would be part of my personality. I’m a good listener. I try not to judge people and I let them relax around me. The studio situation was a warm and private atmosphere where friends and family were often present. I’m genuinely interested in what they have to say, and that helps people to open up and feel comfortable taking off their clothes [laughs].
SJ: Why do you live in Jackson?
HE: I definitely appreciate the mountains and when I’m stressed, well, they soothe my soul. You can always go to the land, and that’s what I like about Jackson.
What: ‘Revealed’ Jackson Hole Winter Athlete Portraits by Heather Erson
Where: Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, 130 South Jackson Street, Jackson Wyoming (Behind the old post office in downtown Jackson)
When: Friday December 14, 2007 6-10pm
After-party at the Jackson Hole Playhouse 145 West Deloney with a live DJ.
Profile: Heather Erson
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JACKSON HOLE PHOTOGRAPHER Heather Erson may come across as quiet, but she is definitely friendly and definitely wild. “I can usually remember your name,” she said about meeting someone, “and usually your dog’s name, too.” The Georgia native moved to Jackson in 2000, and has been snowboarding and taking photos ever since. Recently, she Erson brought over 30 Jackson skiers and snowboarders, including Lynsey Dyer, Jess McMillan, Resi Stiegler, Lisa Watson, Charlotte Moats, and Hannah Hardaway (who are all featured on SheJumps) into her studio to reveal their personality away from the slopes. The black and white portraits will be displayed at Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, and Erson, of course, has a big party planned for the unveiling on Dec. 14, 2007.
SheJumps: It seems like studio work is your niche, how did that happen?
Heather Erson: I moved to New York and worked with Annie Leibovitz for the fall and winter of 2005, and that inspired this current project where I get to work with people one on one to bring out a side of people that not everyone gets to see.
SJ: What is it about photography that you enjoy?
HE: I love photography because it combines all of my interests and allows me to travel. It has a technical and an artistic side. I also like that photography is about developing relationships.
SJ: made you decide you wanted to photograph athletes?
HE: I grew up as a competitive swimmer, with year-round practices twice a day so I understand the dedication it takes and the time involved to be good at a sport. So living in Jackson, not only are the people I photograph my friends and acquaintances, but I also admire them for what they’ve done in their sport.
SJ: What do you look for when you are about to take a picture?
HE: With people in the studio, I’m looking for emotion or a gesture. I like hands that show the character of a person. I like for them to get comfortable to the point where they forget I’m there and lose their inhibitions. That’s what I like to capture, what I look for and wait for.
SJ: That’s hard. Some of the people you photographed for the show took some of their clothes off for you. How did you get them to feel comfortable?
HE: That would be part of my personality. I’m a good listener. I try not to judge people and I let them relax around me. The studio situation was a warm and private atmosphere where friends and family were often present. I’m genuinely interested in what they have to say, and that helps people to open up and feel comfortable taking off their clothes [laughs].
SJ: Why do you live in Jackson?
HE: I definitely appreciate the mountains and when I’m stressed, well, they soothe my soul. You can always go to the land, and that’s what I like about Jackson.
What: ‘Revealed’ Jackson Hole Winter Athlete Portraits by Heather Erson
Where: Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, 130 South Jackson Street, Jackson Wyoming (Behind the old post office in downtown Jackson)
When: Friday December 14, 2007 6-10pm
After-party at the Jackson Hole Playhouse 145 West Deloney with a live DJ.
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